About Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering · Seattle
The Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington in Seattle is an academic department focused on designing and engineering technologies that are accessible, sustainable, and equitable. It integrates research, education, and community collaboration to address human needs through interdisciplinary approaches. HCDE offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in user-centered design and human-centered AI, and its faculty and students work on real-world projects in areas like healthcare, transportation, and AI ethics. The department is located on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples and acknowledges their stewardship.
HCDE is part of the University of Washington’s College of Engineering and is dedicated to building technologies that serve people and communities equitably. It offers academic programs including Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and graduate certificates in user-centered design and human-centered AI. The department emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and social impact, with research areas including AI ethics, accessibility, data visualization, and sustainable systems. HCDE partners with industry, government, and K–12 schools to apply human-centered design to real-world challenges. Notable projects include the Mobility Washington 2050 platform and AI tools like PaperTok. The department has a long history, evolving from technical communication programs since 1974, and is currently led by Department Chair Julie Kientz.
- In business
- since 1974
- Serves
- Seattle, WA; Washington state (for K–12 outreach); global (via research and partnerships)
About HCDE
The Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington prioritizes equity and empathy in the construction of the future. We connect complex methodologies, systems, and technologies to critical needs in everyday life. HCDE resides in Seattle on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. We respectfully acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the generations.
Academic Programs
HCDE offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in user-centered design and human-centered AI. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, or graduate certificates in User-Centered Design or Human-Centered AI.
- Bachelor of Science in Design and Evaluation of Technologies
- Master of Science in UX Research, Design, and Innovation
- Doctor of Philosophy in Human-Centered Design
- Graduate Certificate in User-Centered Design
- Graduate Certificate in Human-Centered AI
Research & Impact
HCDE faculty and students explore human-centered approaches to AI, sustainability, healthcare, and data visualization. Their work informs the design of technologies that empower people and strengthen communities. Notable projects include Mobility Washington 2050 and PaperTok, an AI-assisted tool for research communication.
- Mobility Washington 2050 interactive platform
- PaperTok for research communication
- Student AI project 'Ordinary Days' awarded at UN AI for Good Summit
- Research in AI ethics, accessibility, and sustainable systems
History & Leadership
HCDE evolved from technical communication programs since 1974 and is now a nationally recognized department. It is currently led by Department Chair Julie Kientz and has a faculty of 20 tenured/tenure-track and research faculty, 6 career teaching professors, and 24 joint/adjunct faculty.
- Founded in 1974 as the Department of Humanistic-Social Studies
- Evolved into Department of Technical Communication in 1989
- Rebranded as Human Centered Design & Engineering in 2000
- Department Chair: Julie Kientz